AMERICAN FORK, UTAH -- Inappropriate activity by some young people on
temple grounds has been reported in one of Utah's biggest newspapers.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, what began as teens meeting
for hymns and testimony sharing on Sunday night's outside the
Mount Timpanogos Temple has devolved for some of them.

Reportedly, the temple grounds have become a popular hangout
for many youth and young adults. Some come to share spiritual
experiences with their friends. A recent article in the New Era
had a quote from teen John Fisher. "When I first read through the
Book of Mormon, I fasted and prayed to know if it was true. I was
singing at the Mount Timpanogos Temple. During 'I Need Thee
Every Hour,' I looked up at the temple, and I got my answer right there.
The temple just seemed to be glowing about three times brighter.
I just knew."

However, it appears not all teens are there for a spiritual experience.
The streets around the temple in American Fork were circled with
heavy traffic by cruising teens recently. The Tribune claims the
temple presidency is also concerned with reports of rough-housing
and of couples necking on the temple grounds.

The paper claims that a request has gone to bishops and stake
presidents, asking the young people to discontinue their Sunday
night visits to the grounds. Church spokesman Dale Bills says,
"There has been some contact with local priesthood leaders to
encourage appropriate behavior."